Electrically operated typewriter with constantly rotating type wheel



M. RUDERFER 2,446,851 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED T P WRITER WITH CONSTANTLY ROTATING PE WHEEL Filed April 14, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 10, 1948.

l O a BYM A' lhrogA zv Aug. 10, 1948. M. RUDERFER 2,446,851

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TYPEWRITER WITH CONSTANTLY ROTA TING TYPE WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1947 Mgr/M fi/oaeme,

IN V EN TOR.

. BY flrromey Aug. W, 1948. M. RUDERFER 2,446,351

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED TYFEWRITER WITH CONSTANTLY ROTATING TYPE WHEEL Filed April 14, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q 6 WWW Papa/ 52,

IN V EN TOR.

Patented Au 10, 1948 ELECTRICALLY OP WITH CONSTANT WHEEL ERATED TYPEWRITER LY *ROTATING TYPE Martin Ruderfer, Brooklyn, N. ,Y., assignor to Doeh Development 00., New York, N.

Application April 14, 1947,); Serial No. 741,298

11' Claims.

The present invention relates to typewriters having a rotatable drum which carries movable type elements, and includes an electrical system for operation, whose switchboard is the keyboard.

An object of this invention is to provide a'typewriter of the class mentioned, of novel, improved and simplified construction, whose type elements are actuated in a novel manner, electrically controlled and 'electro-magnetically accomplished, thus eliminating the necessity for many mechanical mechanisms included in previously known typewriting machines of the character mentioned, as type shifting hammers or triggers, levers and linkages.

Another object hereof is to provide a novel and improved electrically operated typewriting machine, whose type carrying drum is constantly rotating while the machine is in use, and wherein independently movable type elements are oper able to make proper impression of theircharacter or symbol, without stopping or slowing down the drum, thus affording a fast typing speed.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electrically operated typewriter of the char-'- acter set forth, of novel and improved construction, having considerably less parts than-heretofore necessary and which operates in a manner which avoids some of the noise'experienced heretofore in typewriting machines generally.

Another object hereof is to provide a novel and improved typewriter of the class described, affording a plurality of shifts if desired, so that the number of symbols, characters and styles-of type, can be more than heretofore possible, and which will permit typewriting, for instance, in more than one language, or the inclusion of systems-of characters used in technical nomenclaturesysuch shifts being accomplished electrically by very simple means. In addition, the design may-be such that a particular set of characters can be made removable and another set, such as of another language or special nomenclature, be mounted in its place by a simple operation, to be controlled by the same keyboard in each instance.

A further object of the present invention isto provide a typewriting machine of the kind mentioned, of novel and improved construction,-whlch is simple in structure, easy to use, light in'weight, occupying considerably less space than standard mechanical typewriting machines, reasonably cheap to manufacture and eflicient-in-carrying out the purposes for which itis designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of line parallel to carriage writer,some of which numerals 2'2, 23, 24 and 25 respectively,

tioned shaft I4 is a-drum zontally *slidin gly solenoid 34 mounted on said bracket 32. Sam armature 33, carries an electro-magnet 35, positioned within the cylindrical space determined by this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. lisa diagrammatic top view of a typewriting machine-embodying the teachings'of this invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a section taken at line 2-4- in Fig. 1 with some incidental parts left out for clarity.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the type-operating electro-magnet coiland the type drum in which said coil is positioned.

Fig.4 is a wiring diagram of an electrical sys- -temthat maybe employed in this machine.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing a-construction for one of the special keys included in this embodiment.

In the drawings, in the embodiment illustrated,

one-frame l5, is a usual typewriter carriage l6, movably mounted for side-to-side movement on theframe, said carriage including a platen l1, vhich -is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a movement. Forward of the platen H, is a guide |8, for an inked ribbon EL-drawn off from a spool!!! and wound up on a second spool 2|. Of course, any other suitable paper shifting and inking means maybe employed. The typeselector keys are in number and arrangement as the keyboard of a standard typekeys are indicated by the while the forwardly positioned spacer bar 26 occupies its usual place-in relation to saidplurality of keys.

The frame has mounted thereon an electric motor 21, at the end of whose horizontally posiindicated generally by the numeral 28. Said shaft also carries thereon "a commutator brush-29, which contacts a stationary commutator 30, fixed to a bracket 3|, ex-

tending from the main frame l5; said bracket also serving to support the motor shaft.

Another bracket 32, extending from the frame, horisupports the armature 33 of a theplurality of type-carrying elements or levers 36 and 38, carried-on the drum 2B.

The drum 28 is open atone end, at which it has an inward flange 31, provided with a plurality of holes 39- arranged in one or more circles through itsfaces. Each of the type-carryin elements 35 and-38, is swingably mounted on the drum and -may he formed of a short stiff wire having its intermediate portion 40 positioned as a rotatable shaft through one of the holes 39 respectively in flange 31. The end portion of each said Wire elements, if there be more than termine another annular lane, next to and in,

tandem with the aforesaid lane. The portion of Means for movement of carriage l6, to accomplish spacing between letters and for back-spacing, as known in the art, include each a bar or lever to be pulled for their operation. I have therefore provided the electro-magnets 48 and 45 to provide the actuating force for such respectiye purposes, and have not shown the mechanieach of the elements 36 and 38 positioned exteriorly of the drum 28, is bent in counter-clockwise direction and each carries at its free end a type element. The respective type elements in- "cal means for such carriage movements, for they are well known.

The keys of the keyboard are arranged as normally open switches. When pressed down againstacompression spring 50, the switch they constitute with their associated fixed contact dicated by the numeral 43, determine an annular. i

for operation, shown in Fig. 4.

lane, and the respective type elements indicated by the numeral 44 determine another annular lane right next to and in tandem withthe aforesaid type formed lane. The distance between centers of both lanes of type elements 43 and 44, is made equal to the distance between letters to be typed on the machine. All of the type-carrying elements 35 and 38 are'so formed and nested that each is free for independentmovement, so that whe the electronagnet 35is actuated to attract a particular armature of the series 4. or'42, the latters associated type element will strike the ribbon H3 at' writing position against the paper on the platen ll. The series of type elements 43 may constitute the small letters of an alphabet, and the series of type elements 44 may constitute the capital letters of any style of type or language and may'include other characters, insignia or symbols.

point, indicated in one instance by the numeral 49, is closed. Reference is now made to the .Wil'ing diagram of the electrical system employed L. 'fThe keys, among which are 23, 24 and 25, are

marked with a designation of the characters they control. Each such key has its associated fixed contact point 49. There are as many commutator segments in' the commutator 30, as there are type-carrying elements determiningone lane of v type, and as many keys. All of the keys which It may here be notedthat normally, the electromagnet is positioned to attract an armature in the lane of series 4!, and'that upon actuation of solenoid 34, it associated armature 33 will be shifted'so that said electromagnet lies in position to attract an armature in the lane of series 42.

The writing position against the paper on platen ll, being different for the respective series of type i one series, the platen'must be back-spaced atthe striking of 'any key, prior to the operation of any of the type elements'of serie's44. It is therefore so arranged that upon every actuation of thesolenoid 34, the

electro-magnet 45which-operates the back-spam ing means, shalfsimultaneously beactuated.

' Switching means 46, to accomplish such, is there- 'fore 'closed'upon pressing thekey' 41, marked Shift.

It will be readily understood by those versed in the art that this invention may be embodied in a structure employing shifting" of the carriage as in ordinary typewriters, in which instance each of the type-carryin elements would need 'to carry both a small and a capital letter, thus eliminating back spacing at the writing of each capital,

and all type elements would be in a single lane,

as well as that all arm'atures associated with said elements would lie in a single lane. When more than one lane of type elements is used as in the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the

diameter of the drum 28 is quite small, and in practice may be less than three inches, making for a compact structure. The two lane arrangement set forth, also permits that the characters in one lane shall be of one language, while that of the other shall be of another language, for e'xample. Although not shown, bracket32 may be 'shiftable to permitmounting of other drums carrying type elements of any desired'character or "style.

with said second 'arm'aturej are to control type characters, are electrically connected to one terminal of the type-operating 'electro-magnet coil 35. The fixed contact points 49, associated with said keys to form switches therewith respectively, are electrically connected, one to each of the segments of the commutator 3 0. The brush 29 is electrically connected to one terminal of an electrical condenser 5|. A normally closed switch is interposed in the electrioal connection of the second terminal of said condenser 5| and the second terminal of thetypeoperating electro-magnetic coil 35, said last mentioned switch comprising the fixed contact point 52 and the armature 53, which is part ofa relay whose coil is designated by the numeral 54. Said relay also includes a second armature electrically insulated from armature 53,and a fixed contact point 56, which is normally out of contact Upon actuation of relay coil 54, both 'armatures move, 53 breaking contact with 52, and 55 makin contact with 56. -It'is' to be noted that at any position of drum "28, brush 29 contacts such segment of commutator 30, that the character marked on-the' key associated with said segment, is the same charac- 19, if electro-magnet 35 were then and there actuated. Consider condenser 5i to be in charged condition, 'and motor 21' in operation, then when a particular key as say 25, is pressed down to touch its fixed contact point 49, said condenser will discharge to actuate; the type-operating electromagnet coil 35, when-brush 29 comes into contact with the segment of commutator 30 related to the rsaid pressed key, and the chosen character will b'eprinted onto thepaper 0n platen l'I, due to movementof the proper type-carrying element, Spring means not shown, is included with each type-carryin element 36 and 38, to auto- 'matically return same from printing position A against platen H, to rest position B on drum 28. Before explaining more of the condenser operatio'n,1'we'now note theremainder .of the circuit shown in'Fig. 4. A source of direct current 51 7 controlled by a switch 58, serves to supply the electrical energy for operation of the solenoid 34,

the electro-magnet-"45 for operating the back spacer means, and the electro-mag'net'for operating the back spacer means, and the electromagnet 48 for operating the means to effect spacing between letters. One terminal of switch 58 is electrically connected to the current source 51, while its other terminal is electrically connected to the brush 29, and to one terminal of each of the electro-magn-et coils 3 4, 45 and 48. The other terminal of the current source is electrically connected to one terminal of the relay coil 54, to the fixed contact point 55 of said relay, also to the fixed contact point 59 of the spacing bar switch, the fixed contact point 60 associated with the back spacer key GI, and the two fixed contact points of the switch designated generally by the numeral 45, the moveable part of which switch is the Shift key 52. Said switch 45 is of the double pole, single throw, spring return type.

The other terminal of coil 45, is electrically connected to the back space key 5! and to one pole of switch 45. The other terminal of coil 34 is electrically connected to the second pole of switch 45, The spacer bar key 25, is also electrically connected to armature 55 of the relay, while the other terminal of the relay coil 54, is electrically connected to relay armature 53. The inductance of coil 54 of the relay, is of such extent, that no appreciable current flow through the said coil during the time condenser 51 discharges through coil 35.

The motor 21 is in circuit with an independent energy source, which may be controlled by switch 58; such motor circuit not being shown. It is intended, that to commence operation of the machine, the closing of switch 53 will cause motor 21 to run, and bring the electrical system of Fig. 4 into operative condition. As heretofore mentioned, during operation of the machine, said motor runs continuously, Hence drum 28 and brush 29, are continuously revolving.

The capacitance of condenser 5i is chosen to be such that it discharges through the operating coil 35 almost completely in the interval the brush 29 contacts the commutator segment connected to the actuated key, or, in the interval the type element moves from its rest position to writing position, whichever interval is smaller. Thus, by the time the actuated type element strikes the platen ii, there is negligible current flowing in coil 35 and therefore no appreciable attractive force between the shifted armature and operating coil 35 exists, The moved type-carrying element then immediately rebounds from the platen I1, leaving a clear impression, though the drum 28 is continuously rotating. The type element is returned to its normal rest position by means of a restoring spring, not shown.

In operation, switch 55 is closed. All keys associated with the commutator 36, being in raised rest position, the condenser 5| will become charged by the battery 57. Upon pressing down a particular key, say, the key 25, for contact with its associated contact point 49, brush 29 in its travel will come in contact with the commutator segment related to said key, and as soon as the brush does so, which will be within one revolution thereof, coil 35 will become actuated because the condenser 5| will discharge a current therethrough, and the character or symbol on the type carrying element swung by such action of coil 35, will become impressed on the paper carried on platen ll.

As soon as the brush has passed the commutator segment which is connected to the actuated key, condenser 5i will begin to charge up again from the battery through relay coil 54. This current is designed to actuate the relay coil 54,

moving its armatures 53 and 55, whereby contact is unmade at 52, and made at 5B. When armature 55 contacts with 56, the circuit of coil 45 is closed, causing a forward shift of the carriage 15, a single space to next writing position. Armature 53 being out of contact with 52, it is evident that no operation of type-operating coil 35 can occur during operation of coil 48.

As condenser 5! becomes fully charged, current flow decreases through relay coil 54, where upon the spring loaded armatures 53 and 55 will return to initial position as shown in Fig. 1. The machine is now in condition for operation of any of the keys controlling the writing.

It is to be noted that whenever spacer bar 25 is pressed down to contact 59, coil 48 is actuated. Whenever the back spacer key 5! is pressed down to contact 6|], the coil 45 is actuated. Also, whenever the shift key 41 is pressed down, meaning switch means 46 becomes closed, the coil 34 is actuated to move the operating coil 35 from the lane of armatures 4| to the lane of armatures 42. Upon opening of the switch means 45, the spring loaded armature 33 of the solenoid will automatically return to initial position, where coil 35 is again in position to act upon armatures in the lane 4|. It is also necessary to operate the coil 48 upon the upward movement of the shift key 4?, to advance the paper to next printing position for the next character to be printed. Hence, referring to Fig. 5, said key carries contact point 53 for contact with spring strap 64 only during upward movement of said key. Insulation piece 55 carried atop spring 54, prevents contact of said metal strap and point 63, upon downward movement of the key 41 when switch 45 is to be closed. Referring now to the Fig. 4, it will be seen that the switch composed of members 63 and 55 controls the circuit of coil 48.

The motor 21, for proper operation, should be run at least at such a speed that the drum 2% shall complete one revolution in the time one key is pressed down.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departin from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiment shown herein be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable disclosure herein set forth; reference being had to the following claims rather than to the specific description and structure herein, to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine of the character described, the combination of a continuously rotating rotor, a plurality of levers, each pivotally mounted on said rotor, a separate type element and a separate armature carried on each lever; all of said armatures normally lying in an nular lane and each lever being so positioned when swung about its axis from rest position on the rotor, that the type element carried thereon is brought to printing position, spring means to restore the moved lever to normal rest position on the rotor, an electro-magnet means, adapted when actuated to direct its force in the lane of the armatures, attracting one of said armatures whose associated type element is thereby swun to printing position, a plurality of key circuits and an electrical selecting means to bring the particular key circuit which is brought to condition to operate, into energizing relation with the electro-magnet means.

2. A typewriting machine as defined in claim 1; wherein each of the levers is pivotally mounted intermediateits ends on the rotor, and carries its type element and armature at its ends respectively. a I

3. A typewriting machine-as defined in claim 1, wherein all the axes of rotation of the levers are parallel to the axis of rotation of'the rotor.

4. A typewriting machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the key circuits include an electrical condenser adapted to energize the electro-magnet means when the particular key circuit to operate, is brought into operativerelation with the electro-magnet means by the electrical selecting means. a

5. A typewriting machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotor is a drum and wherein the armatures and the electro-magnet means are housed in said drum. r

6. A typewriting machine as defined in claim 1, wherein any armature moved by the electromagnet means, always remains spaced from same to avoid the noise of contact.

7. In a. typewriting machine of the character described, the combination of, a platen, a continuously rotating rotor, a first and second plu-,

rality of levers; each lever being pivotally mounted on the rotor, a separate'type element and a separate armature carried on each lever; all of the armatures on the first plurality of levers normally lying in an annular lane and each lever of said first pluraltiy being so positioned when'swung' about its'axis from rest position on the rotor, that the type element carried thereon is brought to printing position; all of the armatures of the second plurality of levers normally lying in another annular lane and each lever of said second plurality'being so positioned when swung about its axis from'rest position on the rotor that the type element carried thereon is brought to a single position adjacent said printing position, spring-means to restore any moved leverto normal rest-position on themtor, an electro-magnet means, adapted when actuated to direct its force in the lane of the armatures carried by the first plurality of levers normally, thereby moving one of said armatures associated with the first plurality of levers so that its type element is swung to printing position; said electro-magnet means and rotor being relatively movable to such a position that when the said electro-magnet means is energized it shall direct its force in the lane of armatures carried by the second plurality of levers, thereby moving one of the armatures associated withthe second plurality of levers so that its type ,ele ment is swung to the position adjacent the printing position of the type carried by the firstplurality of levers, means to shift the relative position of the electro-magnet means and rotor so that said electro-magnet means is in either of said lanes, a plurality of key circuits, an electrical selectin means to bring the particular key circuit which is brought. to condition to operate, into energizing relation with the electro-magnet means, means to operate the shifting means whenever the key circuit to be actuated is for movement of any of the levers of the second plurality of levers and means to shift the relative position of platen and rotor upon operation of said shifting means whereby the position adjacent printing position is moved to said printing position.

8. In a typewriting machine of the character described, the combination of, a platen, a continuously rotating rotor, a first and second plu- 'rality 'orlevers; each lever being pivotally mounted on the rotor, a separate typeelement and a separate armature carried on each lever; all of the armatures onthe first plurality of levers normally lying in an annular lane-and each lever of said first plurality being so positioned when swung about its axis from rest position on the rotor, that the type element carried thereon is brought to printing position; all of the armatures on the second plurality of'levers normally lying in another annular lane andeach lever of said second plurality being so positioned when swung about its axis from rest position on the rotor that-the type element carried thereon is brought to a single position adjacent said printing position, spring means-to restore any moved lever to normal rest position on the rotor, an electro-magnet means, adapted when actuated to direct its force in the laneof the armatures carried by the first plurality'of levers normally, thereby movingone of the said armatures associated with the first plurality of levers so that its type element is swung to printing position; said electro-magnet means being movable to such a position that when energized it shall direct its force in the lane of armatures carried by the second plurality of levers, thereby moving one of the armatures associated with the second plurality of levers so that its type element is swung to the position adjacent the printing position of the type carried by the first plurality of levers, means to shift the electro-magnetmeans from one to the other of said lanes, a plurality of key circuits, an electrical selecting means to bring the particular key circuit which is brought to condition to operate, into energizing relation with the electro-magnet means, means to operate the shifting means wheneverthe key circuit to be actuated is for the movement .of any of the levers of the second plurality of levers and means to shift the relative position of platen and rotor upon operation of said shifting means whereby the position adjacent printing position is moved to said printing position.

9. In atypewriting machine of the character described, the combination of a platen, a continuously rotating rotor, more than one series of levers; each leverbeing pivotally mounted on the rotor, a separate type element and a separate armature carried on each lever; all of the armatures on each pluraltiy of levers normally lying in an annular lane, respectivelyfand each lever of a particular series of levers being so positioned when swung about its aXis from rest position on the rotor, that the type element carried thereon is brought to printing position; all of the armatures of the other series of levers respectively being so positioned when swung from rest position on the rotor that the respective type elements carried thereon are brought respectively to a dilierent position adjacent said printing position; all of the type elements of any one series of levers coming to an identical position when moved, spring means to restore any moved lever to normal rest position on the rotor, an electro-magnet means, adapted when actuated to direct its force in the lane of the armatures of but one series of levers normally, thereby moving one of said armatures so that its associated type element is swung to its position aforesaid; said electro-magnet means and rotor being relatively movable to such a position that when the said electro-magnet means is energized it shall direct its force in the lane of armatures of one of the series of levers which is predetermined, means to shift the relative position of the electro-magnet means and rotor 30 that the electro-magnet means is in one of said lanes as is predetermined, a plurality of key circuits, an electrical selecting means to bring the particular key circuit which is brought to condition to operate, into energizing relation with the electromagnet means, means to operate the shifting means and means to shift the relative position of platen and rotor upon operation of said shifting means whereby the particular adjacent position determined by the shifting means, is moved to said printing position.

10. A typewriting machine as defined in claim '7, wherein the means to shift the relative position of rotor and electro-magnet means, includes a solenoid and a circuit therefor adapted for actuation whenever the key circuit to be brought to actuated condition, is for operation of any of the levers of the second plurality.

11. A typewriting machine as defined in claim 8, wherein the means to shift the electro-magnet means, includes a solenoid and a circuit therefor adapted for actuation whenever the key circuit to be brought to actuated condition, is for operation of any of the levers of the second plurality.

MARTIN RUDERZEER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

